Chapter 266: Choices

Regarding Jiang Qing's choice, Li Luo and the others did not object, because rationally speaking, if they continued to push deeper now, they would inevitably fall into a great crisis should they truly encounter that Calamity-grade Other.

At that point, casualties would be a very normal occurrence.

An Other of that level was no longer something a lineup like theirs could resolve.

Of course, choosing to retreat now meant they were giving up on that Level 3 Purification Tower they had spent so much time preparing for, which would undoubtedly cause them no small loss, as the points for a Level 3 Purification Tower were extremely generous.

Yet in the end, Jiang Qing chose the latter between the academy points and their safety.

If it were only their "Black Swan Squad" here, perhaps Jiang Qing might have had some thoughts of taking a risk, but they were not alone; they were also bringing the "Justice Squad" along.

Although it was unpleasant to be so blunt, if they really ran into that Calamity-grade Other, Li Luo and his Justice Squad would absolutely be a burden.

Once the group reached a decision, they did not hesitate further; as soon as Qiu Bai recovered slightly, they set off, left the purification tower, and began to rush back toward the purification stronghold.

However, just as Jiang Qing, Li Luo, and the others chose to abort the mission and return to the purification stronghold, teams in other parts of this region had made different choices.

In front of a purification tower, the ground was a mess.

Duze Honglian's long hair was somewhat disheveled, but she did not care, tying it up casually before frowning as she looked at a figure hanging by the side of the purification tower nearby.

On that figure's face, a bizarre smile still lingered, the muscles at the corners of the mouth torn, with fresh blood dripping down.

That was a member of Ye Qiuding's squad who had previously entered the Evil Thought Illusion and been infected by an Evil Thought Seed; it was precisely because he had suddenly launched an attack that they were caught off guard, but fortunately, the opponent's strength was not too high, so she had quickly subdued him.

"Senior Sister Honglian, the situation is a bit off; that kind of Evil Thought Illusion seems a bit too strong," Ye Qiuding said as he walked up, his expression looking somewhat grim.

Duze Honglian nodded and said, "At the very least, it's a Disaster-grade Other; it might even have reached the Calamity grade."

A look of gravity also flashed across her eyes; how could an Other of this level appear in the outer regions of the Dark Cave?

"Then do we need to abort the mission?" Ye Qiuding had a slight intention to retreat; a Calamity-grade Other was likely not something they could handle.

Duze Honglian was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Judging from the situation at this Level 2 Purification Tower, that Other should be roaming around devouring other Others, which means..."

"The Level 2 Purification Towers further ahead might have already been cleared by this Other, and if we can take a risk, we can activate those Level 2 Purification Towers with minimal cost."

"These are free academy points!"

Ye Qiuding was startled upon hearing this: "We're still going forward?"

The others also looked over sideways.

Duze Honglian said in a deep voice, "To win first place in this purification mission, we must take some risks, and I haven't lost my mind; we can test the waters as we move forward. If the purification towers ahead have truly been cleared by that Other, then we will step in to activate them."

"Furthermore, my guess is that the Other came from the depths of the Dark Cave. If it is roaming here with the intention of devouring all other Others, it will inevitably clash with the Others in the range of the Level 3 Purification Tower, and the Others there also possess Disaster-grade strength."

"If... they fight with all their might and both sides are left wounded, wouldn't that be our opportunity? Think about it, what a massive amount of academy points that would be?"

The others looked at each other, and for a moment, they were actually somewhat tempted.

Because they had proceeded through this Level 2 Purification Tower almost without encountering any obstruction, and if not for the trouble caused by that bizarre smiling face left behind at the end, they would have truly won without a fight.

If the Level 2 Purification Towers further ahead were in the same situation, then for them, these were truly free academy points.

It was just that such behavior was inevitably somewhat risky.

After all, if they were unlucky enough to run into that Calamity-grade Other, they would likely pay a devastating price.

Ye Qiuding hesitated; although he was tempted by that massive amount of academy points, that bizarre smiling Other was truly terrifying.

Seeing this, Duze Honglian continued, "Don't you want to win first place in this purification mission? If our gamble succeeds, our points will leave Jiang Qing and the others far behind."

"At that time, she might regret not choosing you this time."

Hearing this, Ye Qiuding's face twitched slightly, a look of gloom flashing in his eyes, and finally, he gritted his teeth and nodded forcefully.

"Then let's try it, but if the situation turns bad, I hope we retreat immediately."

Duze Honglian clapped her hands and smiled, "You don't need to remind me of that; I don't want to actually meet that Other either. I just intend to follow behind it; it eats its Others, and we activate our purification towers—each taking what they need."

They made their decision, waited for Ye Qiuding's teammate to be purified and regain consciousness, and then set off directly.

However, the difference was that while Jiang Qing, Li Luo, and their group were retreating toward the rear, they were continuing to head deeper.

Yet, even with the temptation of huge academy points, the group's advance was extremely careful and cautious, which caused their speed to slow down significantly.

Thus, it was only after half a day that they arrived at the next Level 2 Purification Tower.

When they cautiously entered the range of this purification tower, they were overjoyed to discover that, just as they had guessed, the Others around the purification tower had indeed been cleared away completely!

When this Level 2 Purification Tower was once again activated with extreme ease, the smiles on the faces of the group became extremely fervent.

This kind of "free ride" was very satisfying.

"If we go further, we will be approaching that Level 3 Purification Tower..." Duze Honglian's eyes burned with desire as she looked at the others and said, "Should we go and scout it?"

"If that smiling Other has also made that place its feeding ground, it will inevitably clash with the high-level Others there; that might be an opportunity..."

"If that smiling Other clears that place out too, we'll just activate the Level 3 Purification Tower and retreat!"

The group looked at each other, all of them moved; to pick up a Level 3 Purification Tower for free? This was truly itch-inducing.

"We can go and take a look, but if the situation isn't right, we must still be prepared to give up," one of Duze Honglian's teammates pondered.

Everyone nodded, and then they set off impatiently.

Another half day later.

They appeared on a hilltop, gazing at a large mountain in the distance; the mountain was shrouded in black mist that was thick and viscous to the extreme, making one feel a sense of oppression at a single glance.

And on a peak deep within the mountain, amidst the surging black mist, a white tower tip was vaguely visible.

That was the Level 3 Purification Tower.

"It's very quiet inside; there's no movement at all." Duze Honglian looked at the mountain, her eyes filled with surprise, because this situation was almost exactly the same as the previous Level 2 Purification Towers that had been cleared.

That meant this Level 3 Purification Tower had also been cleared by that smiling Other?

Wouldn't that mean this Level 3 Purification Tower was already in their pocket?

The others were also very excited and were about to move, but just then, Duze Honglian suddenly felt a sense of unease and hurriedly whispered, "Wait!"

Ye Qiuding and the others all looked over in confusion.

Duze Honglian's beautiful face turned pale at this moment; she pointed to the sky above the mountain, and as everyone looked, their scalps seemed to explode.

Because in that sky, the thick black mist was churning, and these black mists had formed a giant, bizarre smiling face.

And the smiling face was staring at them.

(A new picture of Jiang Qing was posted on WeChat today; my nosebleed is a bit hard to stop. Everyone can go and take a look.)